A device-based stretch training for office workers resulted in increased range of motion especially at limited baseline flexibility

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether and under which conditions stretch training programs lead to gains in flexibility when applied in work health promotion for office workers in order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the stretch training “five-Business” leads to gains in range of motion (ROM). Furthermore, the influence of baseline flexibility and socio-demographic factors (sex, age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI)) on trainability was assessed. METHODS: 161 office workers (n = 45 female; n = 116 male) without major MSD were recruited. Over three months, a standardized static stretch training (“five-Business”) was executed on a device, supervised twice per week for 10 min. ROM was assessed using a digital inclinometer (shoulder, hip and trunk extension) and a tape measure (fingertip-to-floor and lateral inclination). RESULTS: ROM gains (p≤0.001) were present in all tests, except for the hip extension. ROM changes correlated moderately (0.24–0.62) with the baseline flexibility (p≤0.001). Subjects with limited flexibility reached the largest gains (1.41–25.33%). Regarding the socio-demographic factors only one low correlation occurred (weight - retroflexion; –0.177). CONCLUSION: The “five-Business” stretch training effectively increases ROM in office workers, especially when baseline flexibility is limited.

Impact of Stretching Exercises on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…The titles and abstracts of 723 records were used to exclude them, and 43 papers were evaluated to determine eligibility. Finally, 14 papers were acceptable for inclusion in the current study (Marangoni, 2010;Chen et al, 2014;Lee and Gak, 2014;Mehrparvar et al, 2014;Nakphet et al, 2014;Tunwattanapong et al, 2016;Aje et al, 2018;Shariat et al, 2018;Oka et al, 2019;King et al, 2020;Holzgreve et al, 2020;Silva Filho et al, 2020;Fraeulin et al, 2021;Prima et al, 2022), while 29 were eliminated (Figure 1). Table 1.…”

“…Seven of the studies assigned respondents to a control group with no treatment (Marangoni, 2010; Chen et al, (Mehrparvar et al, 2014;Nakphet et al, 2014;Shariat et al, 2018;Oka et al, 2019;Prima et al, 2022). Four studies included stretching exercises as a stand-alone treatment (Lee and Gak, 2014;Aje et al, 2018;King et al, 2020;Fraeulin et al, 2021).…”

“…Chronically, MSE reduced muscular activation and fatigue. Fraeulin et al (2021) reported that twice-weekly "five-Business" stretch training enhances trunk Rang of Motion (ROM). Participants with restricted or moderate ROM gained the most, whereas advanced baseline flexibility decreased.…”

Office-Work-and-Stretch-Training-Studie – die OST-Studie: Gerätegestütztes Dehntraining als Präventionsmaßnahme bei Büroangestellten – eine Zusammenfassung der Studienresultate

“…(Mod. nach [7,10,11]) 44 (21) 49 (15) 38 (21) 46,5 (17) 49 (14) 38,5 (22) 43 (23) 45 (22) 37 ( 18) Größe (cm) 175,3 ± 9,4 180,4 ± 7,4 168,8 ± 7,5 176,2 ± 8,7 180,7 ± 9,5 167,9 ± 6,3 173,9 ± 10,4 179,9 ± 9,9 169,6 ± 12,4 Gewicht (kg) 76 (21) 82 (15) 65 (12,8) 77,5 (18) 82 (14) 65 (17,5) 71 (23) 82 (17,5) 65 (11,3) Für die nicht normalverteilten Merkmale Alter, Gewicht und Sport wurden MD und IQA, für das normalverteilte Merkmal Größe MW und SD berechnet IG Interventionsgruppe, KG Kontrollgruppe, MW Mittelwert, SD Standardabweichung, MD Median, IQA Interquartilabstand len Dehntrainings dar [4,25,28,29]. Mit solchen Interventionen soll eine durch lange Sitzzeiten am PC eingeschränkte Beweglichkeit [20] als Risikofaktor für MSE verbessert werden [28].…”

“…Diese Publikation fasst die Ergebnisse der "Office-Work-and-Stretch-Training(OST)-Studie" zusammen. Diese und weiterführende Ergebnisse der Studie wurden bereits hinsichtlich der Beweglichkeit [7], den MSE [10] sowie der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität [11] veröffentlicht.…”